The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1887-10-07
CHAPTER x.-srEcULAr1oNs.

regular bearers and two spare hands, also
q band of about fifty armed Amahagyycr,
who were to form the escort and carry tho
baggage. Three of these filters, of course,
were for us, and one for Billali, who, Twas
immensely relieved to hear, was to be our
companion, while tho fifth I presumed was
for tho use Of Ustane.
"Does the lady go with us, my fathers"l
asked of Billali, as he stood experimenting
things generally.
He shrugged his shoulders rs he answer.
ed: "If she wills. In this country the
women do what they please. We worship
them, and give them their way, because
without them the world could not go on;
they are the source of life."
"Ah," I said, the matter mover having
struck me in that light before.
Eve worship Them" he went on, "up to
a certain point, till at last they get unbear.
able, which," he added, "they do about
every second generation"
.sAnd then what do you dot" I asked,
with curiosity.
'Then," he answered, with a faint smile,
W rise, and kill the old ones rs m exam
pic to the young ones, and to show them
that we are the strongest. My poor wife
wa killed in that way three years ago. 1t
was very sad, but to tell thee the truth, my
son, life has been happier since, for my age
protects me from the young ones
SIN Short" I replied, quoting the saying
Of a great man whose wisdom has not yet
lightened the darkness Of the Amahngger,
s'thou hast found thy positionone Of great
er freedom and less responsibility"
This phrase puzzled him q little at first
from its vagueness. though I think my
translation hit off its sense very well, but
at last he saw it, and appreciated it.
eyes, yes, my Baboon." he said, "I see
It now; but all the Responsibilities are
killed, at least most of them are, and that
is why there are SO few old women about
Just now. Well, they brought 1t on them
selves. As for this girl" he went on in q
graver tone, 81 know not what to say. She
Is q brave girl, and she loves the Lion Leo)
thou sawest how she chung to him. aud
saved his life. Also. she is, according ID
our custom, wed to him, and she has q
right to go where he goes, unless he add.
ed, significantly, "She should say her no
for her word overrides oil rights"
"Andi II She babe her leave him, and the
girl refused? What them
III" no 6alo, with q enruG, nurIt-
cane bids the tree to bend, and It will not,
what happens"
And then, without waiting for IN an
swer, he turned and walked to his litter,
and in ten minutes from that time we were
all well under way.
It took us an hour and moro to cross the
cup Of the volcanic plain, and another halt
hour or so to climb the edge on the further
side. Once there, however, the view was
a very fine one. Before us was o long
steep slope Of grassy plain. broken here
and there by clumps Of trees mostly Of the
thorn tribe. Att bottom Of the gentle
slope, some nine OF ten miles away, VIC
could make out o dim sea Of marsh, on
which the foul vapors hung like smoke
about q city. It was easy going for thu
bearers down the slopes. and by midday
we had reached the borders Of the dismn
swamp. Here we halted to eat our mid
day meal. and then, following 9 winding
and devious path, plungedinto tie morass
Presently the path, At any rate to U w
accustomed eye, seemed to grow 90 fain
- to be almost indisttnguishable fror